MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — A nine-hour closure of Interstate 70 Thursday due to a fatal crash and semi-fire has motorists looking for alternative routes and drivers hauling cargo in big rigs. They have been waiting for hours.
This crash and its aftermath will likely result in many deliveries being delayed more than expected.
Those who were near Interstate 70 Thursday afternoon may have seen more traffic than usual. Along Colorado Highway 93 in Golden, drivers were also looking for a route west when Interstate 70 was closed.
Emmanuel Terrain, like other big rig drivers, was hauling a load westbound when he noticed the stop as he tried to get onto Interstate 70.
“Right now, we don't know what's going to happen because we're behind on packing,” Terrane said.
His shipment, a truckload of wallpaper headed for Utah, will likely fall victim to interstate closures and not reach its destination by the 5 p.m. deadline.
“My GPS said it was about 5 o'clock,” Terrane said Thursday afternoon. “But look at the time now. There's no way it's going to work. I've been sitting here for about an hour.”
Roads around I-70 are congested
Roads around Interstate 70 were congested. People tried to find a way to get around the road closure and head west.
“We might have to stop for just one night. That's what it is,” Terrane said. “I sent photos to the company and everyone else to let them know what was going on.”
Like other drivers, Terrane had to keep an eye on the road while making phone calls to family members and employers to kill time.
“That's the only thing we can do to keep you guys company,” Terrane said. “Even if it's sunny, you can't go back there and take a break, like lie down.”
While some drivers had the option of finding another route, Terrane was forced to wait until the road closure was lifted.
“I don’t know any other way, this is Colorado,” Terrane said. This is not a space for trucks to park. I don't know, but maybe I can sleep there. ”
